HOME SAFELY (Safe Drive Training)

There has been much advertised about the effects of alcohol on drivers and yet people still take the risks often with fatal results.

The introduction of random breath testing and Blood Alcohol Concentration Limits has made cultural changes in peoples attitudes to alcohol and driving.

I DIDN'T DRINK AND DRIVE, MUM

I went to a party, Mum, I remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mum, so I drank soda instead.
I really felt proud inside, Mum, the way you said I would.
I didn't drink and drive, Mum, even though the others said I should
I know I did the right thing, Mum, I know you are always right.
Now the party is finally ending, Mum, as everyone is driving out of sight.
As I got into my car, Mum, I knew I'd get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me, so responsible and sweet.
I started to drive away, Mum, but as I pulled out into the road,
The other car didn't see me, Mum, and hit me like a load.
As I lay there on the pavement, Mum, I hear the policeman say,
The other guy is drunk, Mum, and now I'm the one who will pay.
I'm lying there dying, Mum, I wish you'd get here soon.
How could this happen to me, Mum? My life just burst like a balloon.
There is blood all around me, Mum, and most of it is mine.
I hear the medic say, Mum, I'll die in a short time.
I just wanted to tell you, Mum, I swear I didn't drink.
It was the others, Mum, the others didn't think.
He was probably at the same party as I,
The only difference is, he drank and I will die.
Why do people drink, Mum? It can ruin your whole life.
I'm feeling sharp pains now; pains just like a knife.
The guy who hit me is walking, Mum, and I don't think it is fair.
I'm lying here dying and all he can do is stare.
Tell my brother not to cry, Mum, tell Daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven, Mum, put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.
Someone should have told him, Mum, not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, Mum, I would still be alive.
My breath is getting shorter, Mum, I'm becoming very scared.
Don't cry for me, Mum, when I needed you, you were always there.
I have one last question, Mum, before I say good bye,
I didn't drink and drive, so why am I the one to die? Anon.

The Australian National Blood Alcohol Limit for Open Licence Holders is 0.05 grams of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. However certain professions have zero limits (eg. taxi driver, bus driver, police officer, driving instructors)

The Federal Office of Road Safety suggests that an adult male on an can consume 2 standard drinks in the first hour and 1 standard drink every hour after and stay under the 0.05 BAC limit. An adult female can consume 1 standard drinks in the first hour and 1 standard drink every hour after and stay under the 0.05 BAC limit.

The human body can only process about one standard drink per hour, and alcohol concentration does not peak until 30 to 60 minutes after your last drink. As such somebody consuming large quantities of alcohol can still be unfit to drive the next morning.

Blood Alcohol Level	Effects on thinking, feeling and behaviour
0.02 - 0.04	Few noticeable effects, existing mood can intensify, slight impairment of judgEment or memory
0.05 - 0.06	Feeling of warmth and relaxation, exaggeration of emotion and behaviour, increased reaction time, impaired judgement, visual and hearing acuity reduced, slight speech impairment, decreased balance.
0.07 - 0.09	Noticeable speech impairment and loss of balance, impaired coordination, feeling of elation or depression, impairment of judgement and memory, major increase in reaction time. Person though may still not recognize any impairment.
0.10 - 0.13	Noticeable disturbance to balance; uncoordinated behaviour, major increase in reaction time, increased impairment of judgement and memory.
0.14 - 0.17	Major impairment of all physical and mental functions; difficulty in standing, talking, distorted perception and judgement; cannot recognize impairment.
0.20 - 0.25	Confused or dazed; major body movement cannot be made without assistance. Need to vomit noticed.
0.30 - 0.35	Minimal perception and comprehension; general suspension of cognitive abilities.
0.40	Unconscious/coma
0.41+	Deep coma and possible death

Before consuming any medication/drugs be aware of there side-affects and whether the drug may reduce your ability to drive safely. Read all warnings that accompany such medication.